Co-Signer vs. Non-Occupant Co-Borrower in Kennesaw, GA
A lot of Kennesaw buyers hear "you'll need a co-signer" from their lender and assume that's the only option. It usually isn't. A non-occupant co-borrower works differently, follows different rules depending on your loan type, and can change whose name ends up on your deed. Here's how to tell which one actually fits your family's situation.
Second Home vs. Investment Property Financing Near Lake Acworth, GA
Robert gets this question from almost every buyer eyeing a getaway near Lake Acworth or a rental to add to their portfolio: does it matter what you call it? It does. Lenders classify a property as a primary residence, a second home, or an investment property, and each label carries its own down payment, interest rate, and rental income rules. Here is what actually changes.
How to Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection in Cobb County, GA
Your inspector just found problems, and you have a narrow window to ask for repairs before Georgia's due diligence period runs out. Most Cobb County buyers don't realize the seller has no obligation to fix anything, and the house defaults to being sold as-is. Here's how the negotiation actually works, and what to ask for instead of a laundry list of repairs.
Assumable Mortgages in Cobb County, GA: How They Actually Work
Somewhere in Kennesaw or Marietta right now, a house is listed with a loan attached to it at 3.25%, while new buyers are quoted well over 7%. That loan doesn't have to disappear at closing. Assuming it instead of financing new can save you hundreds a month, but the process has real qualifying hurdles and an upfront cost most buyers don't see coming.
Radon Testing in Cobb County, GA: Do You Need One?
Most Kennesaw and Acworth buyers have never heard of EPA Zone 2, but it is the reason so many Cobb County homes test above the radon safety threshold. Before you waive an inspection or list your home as-is, here is what a radon test actually costs, what the results mean, and how to negotiate if the number comes back high.
Pool Inspection Before Buying a Home Near Lake Acworth, GA
Most home inspectors barely glance at the pool. If you're buying near Lake Acworth, in Kennesaw, or in Marietta, a cracked liner, a dying pump, or a fence that doesn't meet Georgia's safety code can cost thousands after closing. Here's what a real pool inspection covers, what it costs, and how to use it to negotiate before your due diligence period runs out.
Do You Need Flood Insurance Near Lake Acworth, GA?
Buyers assume a home near Lake Acworth or Lake Allatoona must carry flood insurance, and sellers just outside the flood zone assume they never will. Neither assumption holds up once your lender pulls the actual FEMA flood zone determination. Here's how Cobb County's flood zones actually work, what coverage costs by zone, and how to check a specific address before you write an offer.
FHA Appraisal Requirements in Cobb County, GA: What Buyers Should Know
An FHA appraisal in Cobb County checks more than price. It also checks whether the home itself meets HUD's safety standards, and older Kennesaw, Acworth, and Marietta houses fail more often than buyers expect. Here's what typically gets flagged, who ends up paying for the fix, and what the real down payment math looks like on a median-priced home in 2026.
VA Loans in Marietta, GA: What Military Buyers Should Know
Most VA buyers walk into a Marietta purchase expecting the process to run like a conventional loan, then get caught off guard by the funding fee, a stricter appraisal, or a termite report they didn't budget for. Here's what changes with a VA loan in Cobb County, what it actually costs, and how your offer holds up against the competition.
Should You Waive a Home Inspection in Cobb County, GA?
Waiving inspection to win a bidding war sounds simple until you're staring down a $12,000 HVAC replacement you had no way to negotiate. Most Cobb County buyers who waive are actually giving up negotiation rights, not the inspection itself. Here's the real difference, what it can cost you, and three safer alternatives that still make your offer competitive.
Low Appraisal in Cobb County, GA: What to Do Next
An appraisal gap can feel like your deal just fell apart, but it usually isn't fatal. Most buyers and sellers in Marietta, Kennesaw, and Acworth have four real paths forward, from a reconsideration of value to a straightforward split of the difference. Here's how to figure out which one fits your situation, and what Georgia's contract actually protects you on.
Assumable Mortgages in Kennesaw: A 2026 Buyer Guide
Buying in Kennesaw or Marietta? Here's how VA, FHA, and USDA loan assumptions work in 2026, what they cost, and how to take over a seller's low-rate mortgage.
Georgia Termite Letters: A Kennesaw & Marietta Buyer Guide
Most buyers never think about the termite letter until their lender asks for it. In Georgia, FHA and VA loans require one dated within 30 days of closing, and it works differently than a home inspection. Here's what the Wood Infestation Report actually covers, what it costs, and who typically pays in Kennesaw and Marietta.
Condo vs. Single-Family in West Cobb: 2026 Buyer Guide
Choosing between a condo and a single-family home in West Cobb? Here's how price, HOA dues, financing rules, and resale value actually compare in 2026.
Georgia Down Payment Assistance: Kennesaw Buyer Guide 2026
Buying in Kennesaw or Marietta? Georgia Dream offers up to $12,500 toward your down payment, and Cobb County's My Home DPA program adds a true cash grant.
Moving to Kennesaw: What Relocating Buyers Need to Know
Relocating buyers moving to Kennesaw usually get surprised by the process, not the price. Georgia closes through an attorney, not escrow, and gives you a Due Diligence period most other states don't have. Here's what changes, what a home actually costs in 2026, and how the timeline works if you're coordinating a move from out of state.
Kennesaw Buyer Closing Costs: What You'll Pay in 2026
Most Kennesaw buyers are surprised when their Loan Estimate lands. The number is real — typically $10,000–$16,000 in total closing costs and prepaids on a median-priced home — and it breaks down into categories most people have never seen before. Here's exactly what's on that page, what it means, and which line items you can actually push back on.
Cobb County Closing Costs: What Georgia Buyers Pay
Buying in Cobb County? Here's exactly what you'll pay at closing — from Georgia's intangible tax to attorney fees — with real numbers for Kennesaw, Marietta, and Acworth.